“I am supportive of Brookhaven," he said. "It’s a service to our community.”

He called it “an excellent service for seniors” and referenced the community’s responsibility to look out for them. He also expressed confidence in Brookhaven Director Martin Rosenfeld, saying he is getting things in place to move forward as a solvent business.

“I don’t think there’s a quick solution to the problem, and I think we’re on the right track now.”

BEN CROSS

District 10 commissioner from Muskegon

Ben Cross

“We need to keep it going," he said. "Those people who are in there right now can’t be thrown out on their ear.”

He referenced the important role he believes the facility plays in the community, saying the county needs to make it work. He said he is opposed to selling the county-owned nursing home.

“Privatization, I’m against it.” He pointed to the hard work the 200-plus employees perform at Brookhaven.

JIM DEREZINSKI

District 4 commissioner from Egelston Township

Jim Derezinski

“The county can’t continue to do that,” he said of the large financial appropriations from the county’s general fund to Brookhaven.

He called it “good money after bad” being put into the nursing home operations.

He said a campaign is needed now to increase the census or population in the facility, and “if it doesn’t pan out, we need to revisit what our options are.”

MARVIN ENGLE

District 5 commissioner from Fruitport Township

Marvin Engle

“I haven’t found an actual tipping point,” he said of the amount when the financial contribution from the general fund may be too much. “It’s going to have to be looked at from time to time.”

He said he is hopeful that the new director’s ideas will help the financial situation and that ultimately the voters may have to make the final decision on whether to support the facility with a millage.

ALAN JAGER

District 2 commissioner from Holton Township

Alan Jager

“I’d like to give it two more years,” he said. “Let this director have two years and see what he can do. If not, then I don’t think we can keep doing it.”

He described the situation as at a point where the county has provided general fund money and a loan to put Brookhaven at a point where it needs to succeed or options would have to be considered.

ANTHONY LONGMIRE

District 8 commissioner from Muskegon

Anthony Longmire

“If they can survive with the help of the county, great; If not, then we will have to look” at other options, he said.

He said he considers the recent money appropriations and loan as a “boost” to get Brookhaven in a spot where now it has an opportunity to make it work. He said he wants to see it work, but the operation needs to be cost effective.

KEN MAHONEY

District 1 commissioner from Montague

Ken Mahoney

“We have a high percentage of Medicaid and private facilities aren’t all that excited about taking Medicaid because it doesn’t pay as well,” he said.

He pointed out that the county has changed the way the money is provided to Brookhaven, eliminating the method of the county covering whatever the shortfall is at the end of the fiscal year. Now, the county budgets a certain amount that Brookhaven is expected to operate on.

“Martin (Rosenfeld) has done a good job of running it more like a business,” he said. “We gave them a budget up front and they have to live within their means.”

SCOTT PLUMMER

District 7 from Muskegon Township

Scott Plummer

“I won’t put people out on the streets,” he said. “That’s our No. 1 goal to serve the people. I believe we’re here to help people who can’t help themselves.”

He said he considers Brookhaven as an important service for those served and would look at other areas to find the money to maintain the county-owned nursing home.

He also suggested that other services, possible Veterans Affairs, should be considered for relocation into the building that is not all being used. He said he believes that would help the financial situation some.

BOB SCOLNIK

District 11 from Norton Shores

Bob Scolnik

“I think there is a need for a county-run nursing home,” he said, pointing out that he is convinced that there are not enough beds in the community if Brookhaven closed.

“I have some concerns about Brookhaven long term,” he said, mentioning that hospital referrals are down with Mercy Health Partners having its own nursing homes to recommend. “Just my opinion, I think they are going to have to have some specialized services for the census.”

One of the options he said he thinks is worth looking into is a specialized wing for a specific service, similar to Brookhaven’s dementia unit.

JOHN SNIDER

District 3 from Laketon Township

John Snider

“There is a need in the community,” he said. “I think that is clear.”

He pointed out that Brookhaven has operated at times with a fund balance, so it can work.

He admitted that he was in favor of exploring the sale of the facility five years ago. He also said that a tipping point when the financial burden for the facility would become too much, but the county is not close to that point yet.

RILLASTINE WILKINS

District 9 from Muskegon Heights

Rillastine Wilkins

“The county needs Brookhaven,” she said. “Our people, our indigent people will have a place to go. We need to be responsible.”

She said she views the $2 million-plus loan as a key item to help Brookhaven’s financial outlook.

“It will be paid back,” she said. “I think that was the most important thing to take care of.”